Bailey Humphrey’s manager has opened up on the bombshell first week of the trade period that saw the in-demand Sun contacted by “most” Victorian clubs.

Michael Oakes of Elevation Sports was at the forefront of reporting surrounding his 21-year-old player, after Humphrey met with Melbourne just hours after Oakes denied he had been in contact with any rival clubs.

It led to a wildfire of speculation that Humphrey would request a trade out of Gold Coast to return to his home state, however Suns list boss Craig Cameron was resolute in their stance he simply will not be traded given his contract status.

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“It doesn’t matter how many clubs he meets with, we won’t be trading him,” Cameron told journalists on the opening day of this season’s trade period.

Speaking to AFL Trade Radio a week on from the media storm, Oakes opened up on how the ordeal has looked from the inside.

“Bailey’s a contracted player, and he’s always known that while contracted, it’s at the club’s discretion as to whether they let a player move of not,” Oakes began.

“We’ve since seen other contracted players depart the Suns this trade period, and that probably has made it a little more difficult in Bailey’s eyes.

Bailey Humphrey of the Suns kicks the ball during the Round 22 AFL match between Carlton Blues and Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on August 9, 2025 (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“I think the Suns have been consistently resolute in their comments on (him not leaving) … I’d say so, yep (he isn’t leaving).”

The contracted players Oakes was alluding to are Sam Flanders and Ben Ainsworth, who were contracted on the Gold Coast until the end of 2027 and 2028 respectively. Flanders has since been traded to St Kilda, while Ainsworth struck a deal that saw him move to Carlton last Friday.

Seven’s Xander McGuire reported throughout the first week of the trade period that Melbourne — who has long held interest in the young gun — Collingwood and Hawthorn were among the clubs chasing his services this off-season.

But given the Suns’ strong stance, he has never been seen since as a realistic target for rivals.

“They have (been across everything). They’ve been very staunch in their messaging, that’s for sure. The coach has been in contact with Bailey offering assistance where he can as well,” Oakes continued.

‘Careful what you give away’ | 06:42

“I found Craig (Cameron’s) comments a little head-scratching last week regarding Bailey. It’s a tense period, I understand, and I took that up with Craig privately. Our ongoing relationship with the Suns will be fine.

“Aside the infamous stroll around ‘The Tan’, it’s (club interest) all run through me … I’m not going to detail on a timeline, but it’s fair to say the stance shifted regarding Bailey’s situation pretty quickly after that.

“I’ve heard from most Victorian clubs in one way or another. There’s a couple I haven’t spoken to, but it’s been fairly consistently inbound; I haven’t had to make any calls on Bailey.”

However, despite Oakes stating the Suns were aware of all of Humphrey’s dealings, his manager later added they didn’t know he was meeting with other clubs.

“No, they weren’t (aware),” Oakes ended by saying.

“I speak to Bailey on a daily basis, and he’s an extremely loyal guy.”

Humphrey has played 63 games in his first three seasons at Carrara.